Hot Bills Archive

• Hot Bills 2007 Archive
• Hot Bills 2006 Archive

During the Idaho State Legislature, the Idaho Conservation League keeps track of the bills your representatives are working on that affect important natural resource issues.

We will also post news about any Idaho Conservation League position statements about bills.

House Bills

• HB 262 - Ranch, Farm and Forest Protection
• HB 246 - Funding for Regional Transportation
• HB 169 - Energy Efficient State Buildings
• HB 154 - Advice on Siting Energy Facilities
• HB 152 - Siting for Transmission Lines
• HB 59 - Exempting Idaho Department of Agriculture's Lab Results
• HB 33 - DEQ Oversight of Underground Storage Tanks
• HJR 14 - Reduction of Greenhouse Gases
• HJR 1 - Single Subject Initiatives
• HCR 13 - State Energy Plan
• HCR 6 - Idaho Nonprofit Day

Senate Bills

• SB 1137 - Restrictions on Imported Elk Tissue
• SB 1136 - Wood River Basin Minimum Stream Flows
• SB 1128 - Prevents Hunting through the Internet
• SB 1127 - Aid in the Prevention of Chronic Wasting Disease
• SB 1104 - Mosquito Breeding Habitats
• SB 1101 - Financial Assurance for Facilities Requiring Water Treatment in Perpetuity
• SB 1100 - Prohibit Facilities that Require Water Treatment in Perpetuity
• SB 1086 - Wolf Tags
• SB 1074 - Elk Farm Licensing
• SB 1073 - Moratorium on Elk Farms, Ban Shooter Bull Operations
• SB 1072 - Double Fencing on Elk Farms
• SB 1056 - CAFO Public Hearings
• SB 1041 - Energy Facility Siting
• SB 1039 - State Lands for Elk Ranching
• SB 1036 - Funding for Remediation in the Coeur d'Alene Basin
• SB 1031 - Public Access to State Lands
• SB 1005 - Elk Farm Licensing
• SB 1004 - Moratorium on Elk Farms
• SCR 107 - Shooter Bull Operations on State Land
• SJM 106 - Support for Craig Wyden Funding
• SJR 104 - Public Access to State Lands
• SJM 102 - Support for Craig Wyden Funding

[full bill descriptions] You will need to make note of the bill number to access the full bill description.

House Bills, descending order

HB 262 - Ranch, Farm and Forest Protection
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Keeps working lands working while protecting clean water, wildlife habitat, and quality of life. This bill would provide a tax credit to owners of agriculture and forest lands who voluntarily agree not to development important lands for fish and wildlife. This is an important incentive to preserve open space and Idaho s natural resource heritage.

HB 246 - Funding for Regional Transportation
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Gives regional public transportation authorities the ability to take a referendum to voters to approve a dedicated local funding source (sales tax) for public transportation. Idaho is one of just a few states that currently cannot do so. Local communities should have the option to vote for funding for regional transportation.

HB 169 - Energy Efficient on State Buildings
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires all new state funded buildings and major expansions to meet high performance standards. This means the buildings would have to meet the LEED silver standard to reduce environmental impact.

HB 154 - Advice on Siting Energy Facilities
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Recommends that state agencies provide information in regards to siting energy facilities if a county makes a request. We feel that this is not an adequate system to address the environmental and public health issues posed by an energy facility.

HB 152 - Siting for Transmission Lines
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Gives limited authority to the Public Utilities Commission to act as the state transmission siting entity. This will ensure that a local hearing will be held and that affected landowners, interested parties and governmental entities will be notified of proposed transmission lines.

HB 59 - Exempting Idaho Department of Agriculture's Lab Results
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Exempts from public disclosure, lab results provided or retained by the Idaho Department of Agriculture. We are concerned that this will prevent the public from accessing information concerning public health matters.

HB 33 - DEQ Oversight of USTs
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality(DEQ) to regulate underground storage tanks(USTs) instead of the Environmental Protection Agency. We feel that Idaho is in a much better position to implement the program and that the state will benefit.

HJR 14  Reduction of Greenhouse Gases
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Supports the development and education about policies and programs that reduce Idaho s greenhouse gas emissions. It also encourages the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-efficient technologies.

HJR 1 - Single Subject Initiatives
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Clarifies that ballot initiatives must only address one subject by adding language to the Idaho constitution. This was a concern with Proposition 2 on the last ballot, which dealt with regulatory takings and eminent domain.

HCR 13 - State Energy Plan
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Adopts the integrated state energy plan developed by the Interim Committee on Energy, Environment, and Energy. The plan is a step in the right direction but does not address important issues like siting for energy facilites, merchant power plants, and public input.

HCR 6 - Idaho Nonprofit Day
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Established a day of statewide recognition of Idaho s nonprofit organizations.

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Senate Bills, descending order

SB 1137 - Restrictions on Imported Elk Tissue
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Restricts the importation on elk carcasses and parts to aid in the prevention of disease being introduced in Idaho. These restrictions will aid in the prevention of the disease.

SB 1136 - Wood River Basin Minimum Stream Flows
ICL Position: Neutral
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Authorizes the Water Resource Board to appropriate minimum stream flow water rights in the Wood River Basin.

SB 1128 - Prevents Hunting through the Internet
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Prevents the shooting at, or killing any bird or animal in Idaho via the Internet. Twenty-two other states have banned this practice and we feel it is appropriate to prevent this from coming to Idaho.

SB 1127  Aid in the Prevention of Chronic Wasting Disease
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Restricts the importation of elk carcasses and parts from areas where Chronic Wasting Disease has been found. These restrictions will aid in the prevention of the disease.

SB 1104 - Mosquito Breeding Habitats
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires tires used to secure waste or silage be utilized in a way to prevent pooling of stagnant water, which would lesson mosquito breeding habitat and reduce the threat of West Nile Virus. We feel this is an important step in protecting the people from disease spread by mosquitoes.

SB 1101 - Financial Assurance for Facilities Requiring Water Treatment in Perpetuity
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires financial assurance on the operation of facilities that will require water treatment in perpetuity. This would ensure that there is enough money available to pay for the treatment of long-term pollution after the facility ceases operation.

SB 1100 - Prohibit Facilities that Require Water Treatment in Perpetuity
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Prohibits the construction and operation of facilities that will require water treatment in perpetuity. Some facilities are expected to create pollution that continues to flow from the facility long after the facility has ceased to operate. The term water treatment in perpetuity  is used to describe the need for long term water treatment needs at a facility in order for the ongoing pollution to meet water quality standards. This bill will protect our waterways from this type of ongoing pollution.

SB 1086 - Wolf Tags
ICL Position: Neutral
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Create a gray wolf tag, similar to other predators, although the timeline for delisting wolves is unknown. The Fish and Game Commission believes this bill is an effort for Idaho to prepare to manage wolves pursuant to the "Idaho Wolf Conservation and Management Plan."

SB 1074 - Elk Farm Licensing
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Although it does not do far enough to address the problems on elk farms, the bill requires that elk farms be licensed and pay a license fee, and gives the state Department of Agriculture authority to suspend or revoke a license.

SB 1073 - Moratorium on Elk Farms, Ban Shooter Bull Operations
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Places a moratorium on new elk farms, prohibits further importation of elk, and bans shooter bull operations also known as canned hunts. Elk farms and canned hunting operations have been banned in neighboring states because of the risk of spreading diseases from domestic and introduced elk to native elk herds

SB 1072 - Double Fencing on Elk Farms
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires double fencing on elk operations to provide a safety measure against the spread of disease.

SB 1056 - CAFO Public Hearings
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Allows affected persons to testify in front of local decision makers regarding the siting of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). Removes the one-mile primary residence requirement to testify in front of local decision makers in regards to CAFOs. This is a step forward in removing all limitations on those who want to testify on these issues.

SB 1041 - Energy Facility Siting
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Creates a statewide process for the construction and operation of large electric generation facilities. This bill would address issues that arose in the proposed Sempra coal fired power plant including the recognition of the significant environmental and public health impact of energy facilities.

SB 1039- State Lands for Elk Ranching
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Prohibits the lease, exchange, or sale of State Lands for cervidae (fallow deer, elk or reindeer) ranching.

SB 1036 - Funding for Clean Up in the Coeur d'Alene Basin
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Provides funding to the Department of Environmental Quality to continue clean up efforts in the Coeur d Alene Basin associated with historic mining operations.

SB 1031 - Public Access to State Lands
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Gives the State Board of Land Commissioners power to ensure the public has access to state lands but we are concerned this may interfere with wildlife management and recreational capacity.

SB 1005 - Elk Farm Licensing
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires Cervidae (fallow deer, elk or reindeer) farms to be licensed by the Idaho Department of Agriculture and allows for revocation of a license for noncompliance with state rules and laws. The new requirements are needed to regulate the noncompliant farms.

SB 1004 - Moratorium on Elk Farms
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Places a moratorium on new domestic Cervidae (fallow deer, elk or reindeer) farms until 2012. We believe this would give the state time to develop and implement needed regulations on these types of farms to ensure the health of wild populations.

SCR 107 - Shooter Bull Operations on State Land
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Urges the State Land Board to determine whether leasing state land to shooter bull operations is consistent with their obligations. We think that there will be increasing pressure to locate these operations on State Land so it is prudent to study the issue.

SJM 106 - Support for Craig Wyden Funding
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Supports reauthorization of Craig Wyden funding to assist rural communities with large tracts of timberland. This is slightly different from SJM 102 but sends the same message.

SJR 104 - Public Access to State Lands
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Amends Idaho s Constitution to ensure the public has access to state lands but we are concerned this may interfere with wildlife management and recreational capacity. We believe that the unintended consequences of this bill warrant opposition.

SJM 102 - Support for Craig Wyden Funding
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Supports reauthorization of Craig Wyden funding to assist rural communities with large tracts of timberland.

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Hot Bills 2006 Archive

During the Idaho State Legislature, the Idaho Conservation League keeps track of the bills your representatives are working on that affect important natural resource issues.

We will also post news about any Idaho Conservation League position statements about bills.

House Bills

• HB 875 - Funding for State Parks
• HB 792 - Water Use for Coal Fired Power Plants (new version)
• HB 791 - Coal Fired Power Plant Moratorium (new version)
• HB 785 - Pesticide Safety Information for Workers (new version)
• HB 721 - Water Use for Coal Fired Power Plants
• HB 692 - Removal of Ethanol Blended Fuel Tax Break
• HB 689 - Coal Fired Plant Moratorium
• HB 676(a) - Tax Real Estate Developers like everyone else (new version)
• HB 658 - Exemption for Speculative Development
• HB 650(a) - Creation of Aquifer Protection Districts
• HB 600 - Pesticide Safety Information for Workers
• HB 598 - Discourage Nuisance Suits
• HB 593 - Additional Agricultural Burning
• HB 568 - Field Burning Activities should be Public Record
• HB 545 - Adjudication of North Idaho water rights
• HB 510 - Restore Integrity to the Agricultural Exemption
• HB 492 - CAFO Definition
• HB 485 - New Property Tax for Poor Growth
• HB 428 - Tax Real Estate Developers like everyone else
• HCR 62 - Development of a State Energy Plan
• HCR 38 - Idaho Birding Trail
• HJM 16 - Reforming the Endangered Species Act
• HJM 12 - Environmental Protection in all Agriculture
• HJM 11 - Use of Helicopters in Wilderness Areas

Senate Bills

• SB 1496 - Funding for Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Management Plan
• SB 1495 - Funding for Water Quality Monitoring
• SB 1494 - Funding for Treasure Valley Air Quality Council
• SB 1393 - Biodegradable Fuel Standard
• SB 1392 - Creation of Moscow Mountain State Park
• SB 1387 - Increase Statue of Limitations for Poaching
• SB 1386(a) - Increase Statue of Limitations for Violations
• SB 1364 - Ethanol Blended Fuel (new version)
• SB 1293 - Limits on Mercury from Coal-fired Power Plants (Power Plants related)
• SB 1292 - Siting Energy Facilities (Power Plants related)
• SB 1289 - Record Retention (Open government related)
• SB 1288 - Posting of Government Meetings (Open government related)
• SB 1287 - Open Meetings (Open government related)
• SB 1286 - Fines for Refusing Access to Public Records (Open government related)
• SB 1276 - Good Neighbor (Power Plants related)
• SB 1274 - Coal Plant Moratorium (Power Plants related)
• SB 1267 - Ethanol Blended Fuel
• SB 1263 - State Employee Salary Increases
• SB 1255 - Uniform Environmental Covenants Act
• SCR 136 - Comprehensive Management Plan for the Eastern Snake River Aquifer
• SCR 131 - Mercury Assessment
• SCR 130 - Regional Sewage
• SCR 122 - Protection of Moscow Mountain
• SJM 120 - Sale of Federal Land
• SJM 118 - Arsenic in Drinking Water
• SJR 106 - Wildlife Constitutional Amendment (new version)
• SJR 105 - Wildlife Constitutional Amendment

Eminent Domain related bills:
There have been a series of bills introduced on eminent domain in response to the Kelo v. New London decision. We have listed the bill numbers so that you can find out more information on the bills. We will not be taking a position at this time.
HB 555
HB 0408
HJR 005
HJR 003
SB 1433
SB 1429
SB 1273
SB 1254
SB 1249
SB 1248
SB 1247
SB 1246
SB 1245
SB 1244
SB 1243
SB 1242


[full bill descriptions] You will need to make note of the bill number to access the full bill description.

House Bills, descending order

HB 875 - Funding for State Parks
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Funds the Experience Idaho Initiative in the amount of $26,500,000. The money will be used by the Department of Parks and Recreation to fund park improvements, repairs and maintenance, and planning at state parks across Idaho.

HB 792 - Water Use for Coal Fired Power Plants (new version)
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires legislative approval of water transfers for coal-fired generation for the next two years. We are supportive of legislative oversight over the decision to transfer water.

HB 791 - Coal Fired Power Plant Moratorium (new version)
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Prohibits the permitting or building of coal-fired power plants for two years in Idaho. We support this bill because it will give the state time to gather more information on the impacts to the environment and the economy.

HB 785 - Pesticide Safety Information for Workers (new version)
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires the posting of pesticide safety information for workers. The bill also requires the posting of pesticide application notices. We are supportive of this bill because it is protective of the health and safety of agricultural workers.

HB 721 - Water Use for Coal Fired Power Plants
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires legislative approval of any change in water rights with a diversion rate equal to or greater than two cfs if it is for a coal-fired power plant. This bill ensures legislative oversight of the effect of coal-fired power plants on Idaho s water resources.

HB 692 - Removal of Ethanol Blended Fuel Tax Break
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Removes the state fuel tax deduction for ethanol blended fuels when a renewable fuel standard is implemented. If a fuel standard is implemented a tax incentive will no longer be necessary. The bill also changes the definition of petroleum products to include ethanol blends.

HB 689 - Coal-fired Power Plant Moratorium
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Puts a moratorium on the permitting, licensing, and construction of coal-fired power plants that do not use integrated gasification combined cycle technology. It also requires the public utilities commission to examine the economic and environment effects of coal-fired power plants.

HB 676(a) - Tax Real Estate Developers like everyone else (new version)
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Repeals an existing loophole that allows real estate developers to pay taxes on speculative real estate developments as if the lands were agricultural lands. This loophole has resulted in the subdivision of many parcels of land in that were once devoted to agriculture and has created a growth and planning headache for rural counties. The provision is currently providing a property tax loophole for selected property tax payers who are not farmers. This is creating a tax shift to others who must pay higher taxes to fund services. This bill is similar to 510 and 428, which have been held in committee.

HB 658 - Exemption for Speculative Development
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Keeps a tax exemption for speculative development in the rural development plot exemption. The rest of the tax exemption would be repealed.

HB 650(a) - Creation of Aquifer Protection Districts
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Authorizes the creation of aquifer protection districts to protect Sensitive Resource Aquifers  and to fund protection programs.

HB 600 - Pesticide Safety Information for Workers
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires posting of pesticide safety information for agricultural workers. The bill also requires the posting of pesticide application notices.

HB 598 - Discourages citizen from protecting their health from agricultural pollution
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: This punitive bill seeks to discourage citizens from taking action against certain agricultural operations that may be harming the health of local communities by creating unhealthy air and water pollution.

HB 593 - Additional Agricultural Burning
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Allows land that is included in the federally funded Conservation Reserve Program to be burned. The current language only permits the burning of vegetative material remaining after harvest. Increased burning will be add to the existing human health and environment impacts associated with this practice.

HB 568 - Field Burning Activities should be Public Record
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: This bill makes information relating to agricultural field burning public record. It also requires the Department of Agriculture to provide notice and post information regarding field burning.

HB 545 - Ajudication of North Idaho water rights
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: This is a bi-partisan bill with many North Idaho sponsors. Studies resulting from this bill will ensure that water is used efficiently. It will also help educate the public in regards to water quantity and quality for consumption, recreation and industrial uses.

HB 510 - Restore Integrity to the Agricultural Exemption
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Repeals an existing loophole that allows real estate developers to pay taxes on speculative real estate developments as if the lands were agricultural lands. This loophole has resulted in the subdivision of many parcels of land in that were once devoted to agriculture and has created a growth and planning headache for rural counties. Exempting developers from paying their fair share of property taxes is creating a tax shift to others who must pay higher taxes to fund services. This bill continues to allow lands actually devoted to agriculture to be taxed at a discounted rate. This bill is very similar to HB 428.

HB 492 - CAFO Definition
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Changes the definition of CAFOs in state statue by changing animal units to reflect the actual number of animals. This makes Idaho's definition more consistent with EPA's definition of CAFOs in addition to making the rules easier to understand.

HB 485 - New Property Tax for Poor Growth
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Public infrastructure districts (PID) are a growth funding mechanisms for developers. PID s authorize an additional level of property tax for property owners in the district. We believe that this funding mechanism will limit the ability of local governments to keep growth organized, structured and appropriate for long term planning.

HB 428 - Tax Real Estate Developers like everyone else
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Repeals the rural development plot agricultural exemption. The provision is currently providing a property tax loophole for selected property tax payers who are not farmers. This is creating a tax shift to others who must pay higher taxes to fund services. According to the Idaho Association of county Assessors. This exception has grown to over $11 billion in taxable values.

HCR 62 - Development of a State Energy Plan/b>
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Calls for an interim committee to develop a state energy plan and to involve representatives from local governments, business and industry, agriculture, the environmental community and state agencies. The plan provides for the state s power needs and protects the health and safety of Idahoans. We support this resolution because the state energy plan has not been updated since 1982 and it provides for a comprehensive look at energy policy.

HCR 38 - Idaho Birding Trail
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: This resolution supports and recognizes the many Idahoans who have contributed their time and energy to developing the Idaho Bird Trail. The enhanced recognition that this resolution will help the four loops of the Idaho Birding Trail, located throughout the state, attract visitors who will contribute to local economies.

HJM 16 - Reforming the Endangered Species Act
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Memorial: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Shows support for Senator Crapo s efforts to reform the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We do not believe the reform efforts strengthen or improve the ESA.

HJM 12 - Environmental Protection for all Agriculture
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Memorial: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: This memorial highlights America s environmental protections relating to agriculture and would urge that foreign countries doing business with the United States be held to the same standards American farmers comply with.

HJM 11 - Use of Helicopters in Wilderness Areas
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Memorial: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: This memorial asks the federal government to urge the US Forest Service to allow the use of helicopters to collar wolves in wilderness areas. We believe that landing helicopters in wilderness areas for non-emergencies violates the Wilderness Act.

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Senate Bills, descending order

SB 1496 - Funding for Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Management Plan
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Provides $300,000 for the Idaho Water Resources Board to develop and implement an Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Management Plan. This is a companion bill to SCR 136.

SB 1495 - Funding for Water Quality Monitoring
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Provides $54,200 to the Department of Environmental Quality to expand water quality monitoring in the Clark Fork River and Lake Pend Oreille. We support this effort because of the concerns relating to the effects of the Rock Creek Mine and the Milltown Dam Removal on water quality. This is a tri-state effort with Montana, Washington and Idaho.

SB 1494 - Funding for Treasure Valley Air Quality Council/b>
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Provides a dollar for dollar match up to $50,000 for private contributions to the Treasure Valley Air Quality Council. The council is responsible for developing a comprehensive air quality management plan for Ada and Canyon Counties.

SB 1393 - Biodegradable Fuel Standard
ICL Position: Neutral
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Creates a biodegradable fuel standard that would be effective when Idaho produces at least four million gallons of biodiesel fuel. This bill would define biodiesal fuel as a renewable, biodegradable, monoalkyl ester combustible fuel derived from agricultural oils or animal fats.

SB 1392 - Creation of Moscow Mountain State Park
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Creates a new state park at Moscow Mountain. We believe this area should be protected and preserved.

SB 1387 - Increase Statue of Limitations for Poaching
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Extends the statue of limitations for poaching violations involving big game animals, caribou or grizzly bears from two years to five years.

SB 1386(a) - Increase Statue of Limitations for Violations
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Extends the statue of limitations from two to five years for Fish and Game violations involving the use or possession of a resident license, tag or permit by a non-resident.

SB 1364 - Ethanol Blended Fuel (new version)
ICL Position: Not supporting/not opposing
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Mandates that fuel sold in Idaho will be a 10 percent ethanol blend. Five percent of the ethanol must be produced within Idaho. This bill does address air quality concerns by including a requirement of Ada and Canyon County gas stations to have stage one vapor recovery during the summer months. The language that stated ethanol produced within 5 miles of the border would be considered an Idaho ethanol product has been removed.

SB 1293 - Limits on Mercury from Coal-fired Power Plants (Power Plants related)
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: This bill will limit mercury emissions. It directs the Board of Environmental Quality to develop rules and adopt a state mercury emissions control plan. This would include a limitation on mercury emissions from thermal power generating plants constructed after January 1, 2006. Such power plants could not emit more than one pound of mercury per year.

SB 1292 - Siting Energy Facilities (Power Plants related)
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Creates a statewide process in place for the siting of energy facilities. This bill would apply to facilities that will significantly impact public health and welfare, natural resources of the state, and growth of industry. The bill would create a state energy facility planning committee appointed by the governor for the purpose of creating a State Energy Facility Siting Management Plan. Currently county commissioners are making the siting decisions. Since coal plants impact the state as whole, not just individual counties, this bill would take a broader approach to the siting process.

SB 1289 - Record Retention (Open government related)
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires the recordings of meetings and that the recordings be retained for seven years. This would also deem the recordings public record.

SB 1288 - Posting of Government Meetings
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires all meeting notices including time or place change be posted on the outside of the original meeting place in a conspicuous place.

SB 1287 - Open Meetings
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Defines the term governing body  in the open meeting law. "Governing body  would include any member acting on behalf of a public agency regardless of whether those members receive funding from a public agency. It would also increase fines but not to exceed $500 for the first violation and $1,000 for each subsequent violation of the law.

SB 1286 - Fines for Refusing Access to Public Records
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Set fines if a court determines that a public official has deliberately refused a legitimate request for public records. The fines could also be levied against a public official that has violated the provision prohibiting the distribution of mailing or telephone number lists.

SB 1276 - Good Neighbor (Power Plants related)
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requires notification of a proposal to build a thermal generation power plant to residents in adjoining counties. This will give residents of adjacent counties the opportunity to appear and testify before decision making bodies.

SB 1274 - Coal Plant Moratorium (Power Plants related)
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Puts a moratorium on the permitting and construction of large coal fired power plants until April 1, 2007. In the interim, the legislature and counties would develop rules governing merchant coal fired power plants. The bill would direct the Interim Committee on Energy to develop a comprehensive energy plan. This bill would give the state time to address the issues associated with coal-fired power plants before any are built.

SB 1267 - Ethanol Blended Fuel
ICL Position: Not supporting/not opposing
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Mandates that fuel sold in Idaho will be a 10 percent ethanol blend. Five percent of the ethanol must be produced within Idaho. Ethanol produced within 5 miles of the border will also be considered an Idaho ethanol product. This bill does address air quality concerns by including a requirement of Ada and Canyon County gas stations to have stage one vapor recovery during the summer months.

SB 1263 - State Employee Salary Increases
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: This bill appropriated a 3% salary increase for employees of state agencies and institutions. Adequate pay increases for state employees have not been given in the past couple of years. These increase support our valued state employees.

SB 1255 - Uniform Environmental Covenants Act
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: This act would clarify the regulation of the use of brown fields when real estate is transferred from one owner to another.

SCR 136 - Comprehensive Management Plan for the Eastern Snake River Aquifer
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requests the Idaho Water Resource Board to prepare and submit a comprehensive aquifer management plan for the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer to the legislature in 2007. We believe this will assist the state with resolving conflicts regarding surface and groundwater rights.

SCR 131 - Mercury Assessment
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Requests that the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to compile and assess available information and conduct studies to prepare a report on mercury to be submitted no later than January 7, 2007. The resolution also requests DEQ to opt out of the federal mercury cap and trade program. We are supportive of this request and of the state s efforts to get a handle on mercury contamination in the state.

SCR 130 - Regional Sewage
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Authorizes the Department of Environmental quality to evaluate the need for regional planning of municipal wastewater and drainage treatment systems. Recommendations from the evaluation will be brought to the legislature by 2007.

SCR 122 - Protection of Moscow Mountain
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: Encourages the Department of Lands to protect the irreplaceable ancient cedar grove and surrounding habitat buffer located on a 296 acre parcel of state endowment property on Moscow Mountain.

SJM 120 - Sale of Federal Land
ICL Position: Support
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: States opposition to any proposals that lead to the significant sale of federal land located in Idaho.

SJM 118 - Arsenic in Drinking Water
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: This Joint Memorial supports putting the new standard on hold until more research can be conducted to determine what levels of arsenic threaten health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted the new drinking water standard for arsenic to reduce the public health risks. EPA has revised the current drinking water standard for arsenic from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb. EPA has determined that the new standard will provide additional protection for 13 million Americans against cancer and other health problems, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as neurological effects. The new standard needs to be adopted to protect human health.

SJR 106 - Wildlife Constitutional Amendment (new version)
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: The resolution appears to require that there be a fishing/hunting opportunity for all species fish and wildlife in Idaho. However, there are currently many species that do not have hunting/fishing seasons because they are non-game species or because they are other wise protected. This amendment poses potential unintended consequences in regards to non-game or endangered species if indeed it mandates hunting and fishing for these protected species occurs. Further, the case has never been convincingly made that we need a constitutional amendment to address this issue. Amending the Idaho Constitution is a significant occurrence and should not be done unless actually needed. Although some language changes have been made to this version our concerns remain.

SJR 105 - Wildlife Constitutional Amendment
ICL Position: Oppose
Status and Text of Bill: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/index.htm
ICL Commentary: The resolution appears to require that there be a fishing/hunting opportunity for all species fish and wildlife in Idaho. However, there are currently many species that do not have hunting/fishing seasons because they are non-game species or because they are other wise protected. This amendment poses potential unintended consequences in regards to non-game or endangered species if indeed it mandates hunting and fishing for these protected species occurs. Further, the case has never been convincingly made that we need a constitutional amendment to address this issue. Amending the Idaho Constitution is a significant occurrence and should not be done unless actually needed.

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